The Adaptation Questionnaire:

Measure Your Risk for Chronic Illness

Stress, whether its emotional, physical, biochemical, environmental or dietary is often the reason for poor health and disease. Adapting well to stress is the way to maintain wellness. The hallmark of poor adaptation is dysregulation of the main stress hormone, cortisol. The following signs and symptoms could indicate cortisol issues and increased risk for both acute and long-term health issues. Though many of these symptoms can be seen with a range of medical problems, the underlying issue often is maladaptation - the impact on your health of having elevated cortisol levels from long term stress. After completing the questionnaire total the points and use the scoring guide below.

Early physical signs and symptoms:

Weight gain, esp. in abdomen

Headaches

Hypoglycemia, (low blood sugar)

Frequent colds and flu

Muscular pain and tenderness

Joint pain and tenderness

Poor exercise tolerance

Fatigue and tiredness

Heart palpitations

Menstrual irregularity

Back or neck pain

Abdominal discomfort

Alternating diarrhea/constipation

Total: 0 Points

Early emotional and behavioral signs:

Nervousness

Anxiety, agitation

Poor sleep

Noise sensitivity

Worries and fears

Inability to concentrate

Alcohol craving or intolerance

Dependence on caffeine/stimulants

Craving sweets and fats

Lower sex drive

Total: 0 Points

• Score 1 point for each symptom in the Early signs lists.

Later Signs/Symptoms of Maladaptation:

Allergies

Sexual dysfunction

Loss of muscle mass

Depression

Obesity

Glucose (sugar) intolerance, insulin resistance

Poor wound healing

Increased blood pressure

Apathy

Salt craving

Worsening premenstrual tension

Generalized weakness and fatigue

Poor memory

Total: 0 Points

Long-Term Outcomes of Maladaptation:

Reduced resistance to infection

Greater susceptibility to cancer

Heart disease

Poor recovery from injury

Diabetes

Arthritis

Chronic depression and anxiety

Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Increased cholesterol/triglycerides

Osteoporosis

Total: 0 Points

• Score 2 points for each symptom in the Later signs or Long-term outcome list.

Scoring Guide:

If your score is elevated and you are ready to make the changes needed to reduce your stress hormone production and improve your adaptation IQ, contact us at 858-457-1314.

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Integrative medicine in San Diego, CA

We individualize our approach and focus on resolving symptoms by treating the underlying cause using natural therapies and appropriate medical treatments. We serve patients from around the country, primarily focused in La Jolla, San Diego, North County, Orange County, and Los Angeles.